Gakenke District Undertakes a Field Study Visit to Bugesera to Strengthen Efforts to Combat Child Stunting
As part of efforts to identify sustainable solutions to child malnutrition and stunting, a delegation of Gakenke District staff and development partners working in maternal and child health undertook a field study visit to Bugesera District to exchange knowledge and learn from strategies that have contributed to reducing child stunting and promoting healthy child development.
The field study visit took place from 28 to 30 October 2026. The delegation was led by the Gakenke District Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs and comprised District staff and partners involved in maternal and child health programmes.
During the initial discussions, Bugesera District officials presented the strategies implemented to prevent child malnutrition and stunting, achievements made, existing challenges and the contribution of development partners in addressing these challenges.
Among the key achievements highlighted was the reduction in the child stunting rate in Bugesera District from 26.1% in 2020 to 20.8% in 2025. This progress has been supported by various interventions, including the provision of Shisha Kibondo to pregnant women and children, milk, Sosoma, Ongera Intungamubiri and specialised nutritious foods for children experiencing severe malnutrition.
The delegation also learned about the role of Community Health Workers in screening children, referring those requiring medical attention to health facilities and following up on children identified with malnutrition to ensure timely intervention.
Other strategies presented included the Maternal and Child Health Week, the Hehe n'Igwingira campaign, the promotion of kitchen gardens and fruit trees, community kitchens, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and the provision of porridge flour to children attending ECD services.
The discussions further highlighted the importance of partnerships, integrating nutrition interventions into District performance contracts (Imihigo) and implementing the Nkuza Neza programme to promote healthy child development from an early age.
Learning from Community-Based Child Development Initiatives
To gain practical insights into the implementation of these interventions, the delegation visited Twite ku Mikurire y’Umwana Child Development Centre, located in Musenyi Sector, where they learned about its operations and how it supports parents in promoting children's healthy growth and development.
At the centre, the delegation was introduced to parent savings groups, through which each member contributes from as little as RWF 200. The initiative aims to promote a savings culture, strengthen collective action and improve household capacity to provide for children's needs.
These groups also provide a platform for parents to meet, receive guidance and exchange knowledge on childcare, balanced nutrition and the prevention of child malnutrition and stunting.
Field Visits to Maternal and Child Health Services
On the second day, the delegation continued its field visits to various initiatives aimed at preventing child malnutrition and stunting, accompanied by the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs of Bugesera District.
The team visited Avega Ntarama Health Centre, where members interacted with mothers receiving Shisha Kibondo flour and learned about child growth monitoring, nutritional assessments and education provided to parents on appropriate feeding practices and healthy child development.
The delegation also engaged with pregnant women attending antenatal care services and parents who had brought their young children for vaccination. These interactions provided an opportunity to understand how health services are integrated with parental education on childcare from pregnancy through the first two years of a child's life, a critical period for preventing malnutrition and stunting.
The study visit also included a visit to Gasore Serge Foundation, an organisation that contributes to strengthening the capacity of caregivers working in Early Childhood Development centres to improve childcare practices and support children's healthy growth.
The delegation toured different groups of children attending the centre and learned about the approaches used to support their care, nutrition, health and overall development.
Members also interacted with parents receiving support and guidance through a six-month programme designed to strengthen their knowledge and capacity to improve children's nutrition and prevent stunting.
Through this field study visit, Gakenke District staff and partners gained practical insights from Bugesera's experience, which can inform efforts to strengthen local interventions against child malnutrition and stunting, improve Early Childhood Development services and promote better health and development outcomes for children in Gakenke District.
Follow the field study visit: